City of Pasadena Neighborhood Network Matching Grant Program (Texas)

The City of Pasadena is seeking applications for its Neighborhood Network Matching Grant Program.

Donor Name: City of Pasadena

State: Texas

City: Pasadena

Type of Grant: Grant

Deadline (mm/dd/yyyy): 02/17/2022

Grant Duration: 1 Year

Details:

To encourage organization and coordination of new and existing Neighborhood Organizations by offering economic incentives and assistance to undertake beautification upgrades, special events, or projects which will improve the quality of life, public health, safety, and welfare in the neighborhood.

The Neighborhood Network Matching Grant Program is a partnership between the City of Pasadena and all recognized Neighborhood Organizations within the city. The goal of the program is to develop neighborhood-initiated planning, organizing, and improvement projects. Projects should be mutually agreed upon by the Neighborhood Organization and benefit the whole community.

Timeframe
The grant period is concurrent with the City of Pasadena fiscal year, which is from October 1 to September 30 respectively.

Eligible Projects

Eligible projects are those that improve the quality of life, public health, safety, and welfare of Neighborhoods in the City of Pasadena. Any project approved by the organization’s board and membership must be mutually agreed upon and benefit the whole neighborhood. The project must meet and comply with city ordinance and guidelines which constitutes a public purpose. Some project ideas include, but are not limited to:

Administrative Costs
- The grant program covers the costs needed to maintain an organization. Examples include but are not limited to these:
  - Meeting Flyers
  - Meeting Signs
  - Fees for of legal status of the organization
Quality of Life & Capital Improvements
- Any project that improves the quality of life in a neighborhood is eligible. Examples include but are not limited to:
  - Crime Watch
  - National Night Out
  - Neighborhood Community Events – Picnic, Festival, Parade
  - Special Events – Health fair, Sporting event
  - Signage and Street Signs
  - Park & Playground Amenities
  - Security Enhancements (Lighting, fencing)
  - Improvements to Neighborhood Entryways
  - Landscape Improvements (Trees, shrubs, Community Garden, etc)

Eligibility Criteria

Neighborhood Organizations may be given official recognition by the City of Pasadena when and so long as all the following minimum standards are met. A recognized Neighborhood Organization by the City of Pasadena shall:

Establish, maintain and comply with a set of by-laws, adopted by the official vote of the organization, and an up-to-date copy of which shall be filed with the Neighborhood Network on an annual basis or as requested by the City. By-laws shall include, but not be limited to the following:
- A description of the geographic boundaries of the neighborhood is represented by the organization. The organization shall have established boundaries that include one or more neighborhoods within the City. The boundaries shall not overlap unless supported by the Mayor or his designated representative.
- Provision for at least one official elected representative. An elected board is recommended with a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and such other officers as the organization may see fit.
- Neighborhood Organizations shall make full membership open to all persons residing within its boundaries and to all persons owning property or having a place of business within its boundaries. Other individuals or organizations may be members as further set forth in each Neighborhood Organization’s by-laws.
- Homeowners Associations shall make membership open to all property owners with the boundaries of their neighborhood as outlined in their deed restrictions, articles of incorporation, and by-laws.
- Meetings open to the entire membership, with a minimum of one meeting per year for which it makes a reasonable attempt to give written notice to every household and place of business within the organization’s boundaries, by mail, delivered handbills, or a number of prominent signs as examples of adequate notice. No election shall be held at a meeting of an association unless the meeting is so advertised.
- Adoption and amendment of by-laws, establishing a quorum, and setting an agenda.
Each Neighborhood Organization shall keep on file an updated listing of the names, addresses, available telephone numbers, and email addresses of current Neighborhood Organizations’ officers and/or board members and committee members. Two contact persons can be designated by each recognized Neighborhood Organization to receive mail and other communications from the City.
Provide evidence of an annual general membership meeting advertised through written notice to the Neighborhood Network within 60 days of the meeting.
Make available all books and records, including those pertaining to finances, membership, by-laws, and real estate of the organization for inspection and/or copying by the City.
Failure to comply with any of the preceding criteria shall result in the notification of noncompliance being sent to the board members and/or officers of the recognized Neighborhood Organization from the Neighborhood Network.
Upon receipt of this notice, a Neighborhood Organization must offer evidence of compliance within 60 days. If the organization does not comply, it shall be removed from the list of recognized Neighborhood Organizations and will not be eligible for grant funding.
Attempt to inform members and other eligible participants in their neighborhood of issues for discussion and/or action.
Establish and follow a clear method for reporting to the City actions which accurately reflect the neighborhood’s position. When a recognized Neighborhood presents its official position on an issue to the City, it shall be prepared to identify whether a decision was reached by the board, a poll of the general membership, or by a vote at a general membership meeting, and then vote for or against the position.
The Neighborhood Network may attend at least one board meeting and/or one general membership meeting of the Neighborhood Organization before qualification for the matching grant and the recognized Neighborhood Organization status is given. Notify the Neighborhood Network of the general membership meeting at least two weeks in advance whenever possible.